Praying a Prayer For Power
Perhaps the best prayer ever prayed for power is from the apostle Paul in Ephesians 3:14-21. Four times Paul uses words like strength & power on his knees in prayer in this written prayer passage. To identify passages of scripture as prayer is important because they can help shape our prayers in the will of God. All of God’s “fullness” v19 is requested to be directed towards the Christian’s “inner being” or inner person (eso anthropos), v16. Regarding the life of the church in Ephesus, what happened to them in Revelation 2:3-5 ?
What is this “Fullness” defined as being in John 1:16?
T______________ and G_______________
“Fullness” is from the same Greek word used by Paul in Ephesians 3:19, “PLEROMA”.
Jesus is not on record in the gospels as using this exact phrase “inner being” (eso anthropos), but he did refer to our “anthropos” or PERSON getting defiled, see Matthew 15:15-20. So it is clear that God’s concern for our inner person is to cleanse and make holy our inner being. How do you describe a human being’s inner person? The word of God is able to discern between spirit and soul, so are any of those words describing something physical or are these words describing only the spiritual nature of humanity? See Hebrews 4:12.
Acs 8:13-22 is a passage that points us clearly towards using prayer in the need for the f_________________ of hearts in the church that are erring in sin. Especially personal is the bondage to sin, some Christians suffer even after they are faithfully baptized. This bondage we sometimes assume is freely released, but Paul teaches Timothy that God grants repentance, from a “trap” in 2nd Timothy 2:25-26.
Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to use prayer to guard our hearts & minds against a____________
Colossians 4:3 helps us understand that prayer can be used to help us make o___________________ effective.
James 1:5-8 makes it clear that prayer is essential in obtaining the w___________ of God, and the sick who ask Elders in faith to pray for them with oil, can bring about h______________. James 5:14-16.
Do you see the word & power of God emphasizing prayer to affect the life of Christians?
It takes power to forgive hearts trapped or in bondage to sin.
It takes power to guard hearts & minds from anxiety.
It takes power to make any opportunity effective for God’s word.
It takes power to use wisdom and heal people.
Christ’s Prayer for Glory, Unity, Faith & Love
(John 17)
Jesus repeats these words in his prayer, as follows:
(Glory x 8) (Unity and/or “to be one” x 5 ) (Believe x 4 ) ( Love x 4 )
An interesting note about the word “glory” is that “glory” is used to describe the Spirit of God as the Spirit of Glory, see 1st Peter 4:14 & Philippians 3:3.
Christ defines God as g_______________ in the completion of His work, see John 17:4. Was Christ’s work “complete” when he actually prayed this prayer? (Rev. 13:8)
The Apostle Paul later understood glory, using phrases such as Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27) and noting that God’s work in us moves from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18).
What exactly does Christ want The Father to give the apostles in order to experience unity? (see v11)
What did Christ want “fulfilled” in the lives of the apostles? (see v13)
Whose unity did Christ pray for in verse 20?
“So that the world may _____________ that you sent me” v21
The world will know whose disciples we are by what? _______________ John 13:35
The New Testament tells us that Jesus has an ongoing, present work of intercession for His people (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25). His goal isn’t to let us know what He said on a special occasion in the past, but rather to show His constant attitude now. His unceasing ‘intercession’ for us while His disciples wait for his reappearance must be purposeful. Do you believe Jesus still prays for us today?
Jesus did not pray for uniformity or institutional unity among believers, but for unity rooted in love and a shared nature, which should bring together the many different nationalities, tribes & classes of Jesus’ one body. This isn’t a legislated uniformity seeking to unite wheat and weeds, into the same plant. Jesus had in mind the true unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3). We should believe that this prayer was answered, and that the church is one. Our failure is in failing to recognize this and walk in that divine fact !
CONFESSION & INTERCESSION IN PRAYER
Intercession is necessary between a God who is “holy, holy, holy” and sanctified christians who are weak or growing in their struggle against sin. Christians are not of the world, but because we are in the world, this new creature has a very real struggle. The Hebrew writer says…
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our W___________
But one who in every respect has been tempted as we are yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15)
When Jesus came, he would forever change how God’s people would receive help and intercession with sin. In order for us to learn about this change and implement it, Jesus gave us the example of the Pharisee & the tax collector to teach us the direction his change would be in, see Luke 18:10-14. Some Jews were tax collectors for the Romans, which was a very controversial lifestyle in Israel. The tax collector admitted he was a sinner in public by his work in the eyes of other Jews, but his CONFESSION of being a sinner to God was paramount to Jesus. Christ pointed out that in his teaching, there were two facts that helped the tax collector become justified, and live a justified life. What are they?
- H____________________ in prayer
- C____________________ in prayer
As Christians, we need confession in order to walk in the light and experience growth in our faith. See 1st John 1:7-9. Surely sin and repentance in the Corinthian church was in need of prayerful confession and intercession, 2nd Corinthians 2:1-11.
“If we say we have no S_____, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us, if we
C____________ our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us”
Do we pray about our sin? If not, why not?
Even under the old covenant, if God’s children confess sin, what do we see God gives?
M________
Read Proverbs 28:13. How much more and better under a new covenant!
We have a better covenant, based upon the blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins which we should confess in prayer, see Matthew 26:28.
ADORATION & THANKSGIVING IN PRAYER
Jesus shows us that we should be thankful for the Gifts God gives, for…
Matthew 11:25, revelation of wisdom. Matthew 26:27, the blood of the covenant. John 6:9-11, the boy’s food. John 11:41, hearing us!
Teaching on Thankfulness to God: Ephesians 5:17-21 (His will in submitting to one another), Colossians 4:2 (devote ourselves), 1st Thessalonians 5:17-18 (His will in every situation), Philippians 4:6 (The Lord is at hand, make requests!)
Do we understand adoration of God in the opening words of Christ’s model prayer? Luke 11:2 & Matthew 6:9
Mary gives us a great example of adoration in prayer, Luke 1:46-55.
Try to identify the verses where we see four virtues of God that Mary rejoices in?
God’s power in Mary, verse ___
God’s holiness, verse ___
God’s mercy, verse ___
God’s power in Israel, verse___
God’s goodness, verse ___
God’s faithfulness, verse ___
If you were expressing thankfulness for God’s virtues, what virtues would you thank him for showing or sharing with you?
We should not discount the importance of thanksgiving in our prayers, especially if we expect God to answer us as we make so many requests for future blessings. Remember King Hezekiah, 2nd Chronicles 32:23-31. When is our heart testedor tried? Thanksgiving & adoration can help us pass the test! To grow effective and strong in prayer we should recognize the connection between Hearts & Knees! James 4:6-10 proskuneo means “Worship”, adore!
Parallel Prayers Between Old & New Testaments?
In Genesis 4:26 is recorded the first mention of prayer, note a comparison between this and the last prayer in the New Testament “Come Lord Jesus”, Revelation 22:20.
Hannah – 1st Samuel 2:1-10 & Mary – Luke 1:46-55. Do you see a general theme between these two prayers akin to one another?
1 Kings 3:3–9 – Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom, “And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” Like Solomon, we can pray for wisdom, expectant of an answer, for as James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
The great prayer of Solomon in 2nd Chronicles 6:13-42 postures humility, and repeats the request for forgiveness 5 times, and repeats the desire for repentance 4 times. Jesus points out that the kind of prayer that brings justification is one that postures humility, confesses sin and begs mercy, Luke 18:13-14.
Numbers 6:24–26 – Aaron’s Priestly Prayer for a Blessing
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Sin brought the curse into the world, but God promised to bless the whole world through Abraham’s seed, a promise fully realized in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3). When we pray this blessing for ourselves or others, we ask God to fulfill His purposes in blessing His people with His peace and presence. Genesis 48:16 CSB — the angel who has redeemed me from all harm — may he bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow to be numerous within the land.
Romans 12:14 CSB — Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
1 Peter 3:9 CSB — not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.
Nehemiah’s prayer in 1:4-2:5 begins with faith based on God’s covenant of love, and ends with God’s strength in redeemed people to give him success before the King as a cupbearer. Paul’s prayer for love, power & glory in Ephesians 3:14-21, precedes his instruction for Christians in Ephesus to dress themselves in the whole armor of God, in preparation for a spiritual war.
The same themes of answered prayer in the Old Testament are prayed for from within the New Covenant. Do we have the same goals in our prayers?
Reasons to Pray for One Another!
James 5:16
LOVE & SALVATION
Philippians 1:9-11 “And this is my prayer: that _______’s love may abound more and
more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that ________ may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ; to the glory and praise of God.”
KNOWLEDGE
Ephesians 1:17-19 “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious
Father, may give _______ the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that _______ may
know Christ better. I pray also that the eyes of _______’s heart may be enlightened in
order that _______ may know the hope to which God has called…”
STRENGTH & PRESENCE
Ephesians 3:14 “For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may
strengthen _______ with power through His Spirit in his/her inner being, so that
Christ may dwell in _______’s heart through faith.
PHYSICAL WELFARE & SPIRITUAL GROWTH
3rd John 2 “I pray that _______ may prosper in all things and be in health, just as ________’s soul prospers.
Every single letter the Apostle Paul wrote, actually contains a prayer or tells Christians what he is praying about! See the verses for yourself.
Romans 1:8-10 & 10:1. 1st Corinthians 1:4-9 2nd Corinthians 13:7-9.
Galatians 6:14-18. Ephesians 3:14-21. Philippians 1:3-11. Colossians 1:3-14. 1st Thessalonians 1:2-3, 2nd Thessalonians 1:11-12.
1st Timothy 1:12. 2nd Timothy 1:3-7. Titus 3:8-15. Philemon v4-7
A Priority in Paul’s Prayers
The strongest statements Paul made about salvation is in Romans 1:16 & 9:3, knowing God’s power to save was in the gospel, yet if his fellow Jews could be saved in his place, he would accept being accursed! The Roman Christians must know this:
“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be __________.” (Romans 10:1)
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, __________________ in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1st Cor. 1:4-8)
Pray for me also, that I may be given the right words when I begin to speak—that
I may confidently make known the mystery of the ____________ (Eph. 6:19)
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same
time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the _________
to declare the mystery of __________, on account of which I am in prison, that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. (Colossians 4:2)
Three times Paul is on record having “knelt down and prayed” (Acts 20:36; Eph. 3:14). And also with the whole congregation of Christians of Tyre, “knelt down … and prayed” (Acts 21:5). Paul did this to emulate Jesus, he “knelt down and prayed” (Luke 22:41). The prayers of Jesus were for our spiritual welfare, strength and unity, Luke 22:32, Matthew 9:38 & John 17:1-26. Jesus also taught that we should ask for His Spirit, Luke 11:13. In view of Paul’s priority, we should remember Jesus teaches us to pray for workers in harvesting souls, see Luke 10:2. What subjects have a priority in our prayer?
PRAYER & FAITH
This discussion may help us conclude a series of studies on prayer that we started with Matthew 21:22 on the subject of believing prayer. Some scholars have claimed that there are over 642 recorded prayers in the Bible, and approximately 431 of them have recorded answers. In view of this record, we are reminded that James instructs us that we should pray ‘believing’ (James 1:6-8) and that we should not pray “amiss” or selfishly ~ James 4:3. Let us consider how important faith is, while we pray effectively and/or fervently.
The prayers of Jesus were heard and answered, but do you know WHY his prayers were heard and answered?
“During his earthly life Christ offered both requests and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was
heard because of his _______________.” (Hebrews 5:7)
Is it possible for us to pray without reverence?
Here are 5 other places the word ‘reverence’ is used: Hebrews 12:28, Luke 2:25, Acts 2:5 & 8:2 & 22:12. It describes both worship and the character of a person.
Did the man who was justified in his prayer, (Luke 18:9-14) show reverence?
Faith is essential, in order to be reverent or devoted over any length of time because temptations and trials will inevitably challenge anyone’s devotion. Jesus expressed faith while praying distressed in Gethsemane, being in anguish he finally was strengthened by an angel (Luke 22:43) and courageously trusted in His Father’s promise of glory. Jesus followed through all the suffering and even death on a cross in view of his Father’s answer to that prayer being “no”. Our faith is tested at best when we receive a “no” from God.
Do you know of anyone in the Bible, praying without faith?
Do you think perhaps there were any members of the church praying without faith, for Peter while he was imprisoned? See Acts 12:5-16.
THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST AND
HIS ROLE IN OUR PRAYER
Romans 8: 25- 27 “if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with endurance. In the same way, the Spirit __________ us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself
___________________ for us with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit
___________________ on behalf of the saints according to God’s will.
Jesus taught that we should ask for His Spirit, Luke 11:13, and he taught that we better not run out of oil, Matthew 25:1-13. What does the oil represent?
Seven Symbols of Christ’s Spirit:
- Dove, Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, John 1:32
- Oil, Matthew 25:1-13, Ephesians 1:17-18
- Anointing Truth, 1st John 2:24-27 & 5:6
- Rush of Wind, Acts 2:1-4
- Flames of Fire, Acts 2:1-4
- Seal, Ephesians 1:13-14
- Water of Life, Jn. 4:13-14 & 7:37-39, 1st Corinthians 12:12-13
What these symbols may be pointing us towards in prayer?
- Peace? (dove)
- Enlightenment? (oil)
- Wisdom? (anointing truth)
- Power? (rush of wind)
- Purity in Holiness? (flames of fire)
- Being set apart and/or identified as Holy? (seal)
- Cleanliness & Refreshment? (water of life)
HOW DID CHRISTIANS
IN THE NEW TESTAMENT PRAY?
Three times the New Testament specifically says Christians were or are to be “devoted” to prayer. See Acts 2:42, Colossians 4:2 & Romans 12:12. Twice in the book of Acts the apostles Peter & John prayed regularly during certain hours of the day, Acts 3:1 & 10:9. Twice in the book of Acts, prayer is enjoined with fasting, Acts 13:3 & 14:23
Do we have a prayer life that can be described as devoted and regular? Since we are the church, wouldn’t devotion and regularity create a prayer-life that experienced fasting? When was the last time you prayed and fasted? Have you ever fasted at all? Since Jesus intended his followers to fast, (recorded in Luke 5:35) why is there so little fasting in our prayer-life? Is it possible that we are not as devoted as we should be?
Here are topics of prayer as the church was born:
1 – Bold proclamation
- 2 Thess 3:1 – prayer request for bold gospel proclamation
- Eph 6:19 – prayers for bold gospel proclamation
- Col 4:3-4 – prayers for bold, clear proclamation
2 – Praying during tests & trials.
- Acts 4 – prayers following persecution
- Acts 12:5 – prayers for Peter when he was in jail
- Acts 16:25 – Paul and Silas in jail, they are singing and praying
3 – Praying for leadership, particularly at times of transition
- Acts 1:24 – the replacement of Judas
- Acts 14:23 – the appointment of elders
“…Dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit, maintain yourselves in the love of God….”
~ Jude v20
Epaggelia 
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